I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

March 03, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 22, 105, 130
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Philippians 4:1-9
John 17:9-19

II. Selections
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

Ezekiel 18:30b
Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin.

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

John 17:15
I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

III. Meditation: Why are you so far from helping me?
O my God, why are you so far away,
so far from helping me?
Do you hear the words of my groaning?
Have you forsaken me?

I am not asking you
to take me out of the world;
but I pray that you will protect me,
protect me from the evil one.

Help me repent and turn away
from all my transgressions,
lest my iniquity bring me to ruin.
Forgive me, and let me rejoice in you always.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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